NPR’s “NPR News Now” keeps its place at the top of Podtrac’s Top Podcasts chart based on
U.S. unique monthly audience for October 2025. The New York Times’ “The Daily” is #2, NPR’s “Up First” is #3, followed by the “FOX News Hourly Update” at #4 and “Dateline NBC” at #5. DailyWire’s “The Ben Shapiro Show” rises two places to #8, while Salem Podcast Network’s “The Charlie Kirk Show” falls five places to #11. See the complete chart here.
Nationally syndicated talk radio host Erick Erickson has begun writing opinion pieces for The
Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Compass Media Networks host is heard in Atlanta on Cox Media Group’s WSB-AM/WSBB-FM. His first piece was printed in September in the wake of the slaying of Charlie Kirk. His latest column is titled, “Democrats are hungry, Republicans complacent and all politics is national,” and you can read that here.
Audacy’s SVP of sports monetization Lee Davis is retiring. The former WFAN, New York VP and
general manager has been in his current role since 2023. Audacy notes that Davis “rejoined Audacy in 2018 to lead the reboot of Audacy’s TWIN platform.” Audacy chief revenue officer Bob Philips says, “Lee has been a valued colleague and leader whose experience, dedication, and steady guidance have made a lasting impact on Audacy (as well as the companies he has worked at throughout his career). His contributions and presence will be greatly missed.”
Premiere Networks nationally syndicated talk host Clay Travis is offering $100,000 to any male soccer player who can say he identifies as female and makes a women’s pro soccer team. This comes on the heels of the controversy generated by the disagreement between Angel City Football Club players Elizabeth Eddy – who penned an op-ed calling for a gender eligibility
policy in the National Women’s Soccer League and teammates Sarah Gorden and Angelina Anderson who strenuously object to the idea. Travis – co-host of The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show – said on the program, “If you are a male soccer player, and you are listening to us right now, D1, I would encourage you to go to open tryouts. If you make a women’s soccer team or they ban you – just say you identify as a woman – if you make a women’s soccer team, I’ll pay you 100 grand. Challenge out there for every man listening to us right now. I want one of you out there to try to make a women’s pro soccer team – just tell them if they question you, ‘hey, I identify as a woman,’ and I want you to make the team because if they don’t have this rule in place, it would be transphobic for them to stop you from being able to become a male identifying as a woman professional athlete. And I think you might be able to score fifty goals in a year and maybe this is what needs to happen in the National Women’s Soccer League.”
iHeartMedia promotes Grace Blazer to SVP of programming for its Miami market stations. iHeartMedia Miami EVP of programming Marc Chase says, “Grace is a powerhouse of programming excellence. Her ability to elevate brands, inspire teams and drive meaningful
results has made her an invaluable leader within iHeartMedia.” Blazer has been with iHeartMedia since 2013 and serves as national news, talk, and sports brand coordinator, news director for the Florida News Network, program director for Miami’s WIOD and WINZ, and program director for Tampa’s WFLA. Market president Shari Gonzalez adds, “At iHeartMedia Miami, we’re fortunate to have exceptional programming leadership, and Grace is a shining example of that excellence. With 12 years of unwavering passion, strategic vision and meaningful impact across our organization, Grace has consistently raised the bar. We’re thrilled to recognize her achievements and promote her to lead our dynamic cluster into the future.” Blazer comments, “I’m incredibly proud and excited to step into my new role at iHeartMedia Miami. iHeartMedia is a powerhouse of creativity and bold ideas, and I’m energized by the opportunity to help shape our Miami brands growth and collaborate with some of the most extraordinary programmers in the industry.”
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
The number of Americans asking Google for help with debt is way up. Delinquencies are surging. Credit scores are falling at the fastest pace since the Great Recession. Consumer
Confidence is down. Costco is mobbed.
Gasoline, eggs, now coffee. What DOESN’T cost more? Seen beef prices? Hamburger Helper sales are up double-digits year-over-year.
A client station asked me for something to pitch to a local credit union. So, I called-in “The Deal Detective.” He’s a frugal flatfoot, the lieutenant of low prices, a savings sleuth with a barcode scanner. He reads receipts like rap sheets. And he’s a stack of 60-second features.
Special for TALKERS readers: Help yourself, here.
They’re FREE, no paperwork, no national spot. Sell a local sponsorship and keep the money. It’s your license to bill. OK to use as stream cover-up spots, or on your station website (help yourself to the graphic). NOT “available wherever you get your podcasts.”
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Wisconsin radio personality current host of “Matenaer On Air” on several of Civic Media’s news/talk stations, Jane Matenaer, announces her retirement after 44 years in the business. She says, “When I started my radio career, my goal was to be a ‘cool, nighttime rock chick.’
Tragically, I was none of those things. Fortunately, I had the support of those who believed I had potential and encouraged me to follow a slightly different path — to morning radio. And while I never envisioned eventually moving from music to talk radio, the transition has been the most rewarding experience of my life, and these last three years at Civic Media have been the proudest of my 40-plus year career.” Prior to joining Civic Media, Matenaer served with Good Karma Brands’ news/talk WTMJ, Milwaukee in the newsroom and in morning drive. She adds, “As I head toward retirement, I want to take this moment to thank my current and former colleagues and mentors. You are among the most talented, dedicated and hilarious people on the planet. Thank you to Civic Media, for believing in a 60-something woman to host her own show and for your commitment to community-based radio and to a healthy democracy.”
The Radio Hall of Fame inducted its 2025 10-member class of honorees last night (10/30) in Chicago that included Premiere Networks president Julie Talbott who is pictured above at left with fellow inductee and FOX Sports Radio star Colin Cowherd at right, as well as radio industry programmer and consultant Mike McVay (pictured below with RHoF co-chairs Dennis Green at left and Kraig Kitchin at right). 2021 Radio Hall of Fame Inductee Kim Komando served as emcee for the event.
iHeartMedia San Francisco names Annalee Gould SVP of sales for the station group that includes sports talk KNEW-AM and KKSF-AM BIN Black Information Network, plus five music
brands. Gould comes to iHeartMedia from Metamorphosis.Digital where she was chief revenue officer and VP of sales. iHeartMedia division president Kris Foley says, “Annalee’s ability to build trust, navigate change, and deliver creative, cross-platform results makes her the ideal leader for our San Francisco sales team. Her experience and relationships in the Bay Area will be instrumental as we continue to grow our presence and impact.” She comments, “Audio is one of the most powerful and evolving channels in media today and nowhere embodies creativity and innovation quite like the Bay Area. I’m excited to join iHeartMedia and work with a team that understands how meaningful human-generated content continues to drive trusted marketing. In a time when that connection feels increasingly rare, radio and podcasts remain deeply human, built on authentic voices, real stories, and companionship.”
Cumulus Media’s Westwood One appoints Armen Williams executive director of Westwood One Sports 24/7 programming, effective November 3. In this role, Williams will lead the development and production of the network’s new round-the-clock sports content. The company
says he’ll “oversee all aspects of sports talk content across the network, including daily technical operations, social media strategy, and brand management. He will build a talented team of hosts and producers responsible for compelling on-air programming – featuring original content, interviews, benchmarks, and fan interaction.” Williams says, “There’s never been a more exciting time to be in audio – the industry is thriving, innovative, and constantly evolving. This is a unique opportunity to build on the incredible foundation created by our partners at Audacy and BetMGM and combine it with the reach, heritage, and credibility of Westwood One Sports. I’m honored to help shape the next chapter, delivering smart, entertaining, and authentic sports content for listeners everywhere.”
Pictured above is Salem Radio Network talk host Mike Gallagher on the set today at Jewish News Syndicate in Jerusalem as he broadcasts his program. Upon the news of President Trump’s peace deal between Israel and Hamas, Gallagher announced he would travel to Israel to report to his listeners from the Holy Land. Gallagher’s in-studio guests on today’s program included Yael Eckstein, president of the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
VSiN, The Sports Betting Network, adds three new affiliate stations as WARF-AM, Cleveland “The Gambler,” expands to 20-plus hours of VSiN’s sports betting programming daily and WIWF-FM/HD-3, Charleston, South Carolina and KOSP-FM, Springfield, Missouri add VSiN
programming to their lineups. VSiN president and chief business officer Brian Musburger states, “We’re thrilled to bring these new radio markets the news, analysis, and expert insights listeners need to make more informed wagering decisions. Through the continued distribution expansion VSiN is delivering its trusted sports betting programming to more listeners than anyone else and solidifying our position as the largest sports betting radio network in the country, by far.”
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Possibly not – beginning Sunday – unless you live in Hawaii and Arizona (except the Navajo Nation) or American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands. Everywhere else, clocks will change when we “fall-back” on November 2.
It’s uncanny how just that one-hour shift impacts listeners’ lives. So, it’s a BIG topic of conversation. Plan now to empathize with the emotional and practical adjustments they’re confronting, including…
Increased Morning Light:
Shorter Evenings:
Positive: The extra hour of light in the morning might be useful for early morning commuters, outdoor activities, or children heading to school.
Disruption to Sleep Patterns:
Health and Mood:
Impact on Productivity:
Safety Considerations:
Energy Consumption:
Impact on Schedules:
What’s a radio station to do?
And please note: It’s “Daylight Saving Time,” not “Daylight Savings Time.”
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a consultant working the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke and connect on LinkedIn
Triton Digital releases its U.S. Podcast Ranker for September (Sept. 1-28) based on weekly average downloads for participating networks and Salem Media Group’s “The Charlie Kirk
Show” rose three places to the #3 spot, behind NPR’s “NPR News Now” (#1) and “Up First” (#2). Kirk was slain in September 10 and new episodes of the program continue to be produced. Other talk radio related shows of note include: Cumulus Podcast Network’s “VINCE” drops two places to #13; iHeartRadio’s “The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show” drops two places to #16; and iHeartRadio’s “The Jesse Kelly Show” climbs three places to #49. See the complete ranker here.
Here are the most talked about stories of the past week (10/20-24) on news/talk radio and related talk media according to TALKERS:
Stories
People
To see the full TALKERS Stories, Topics, and People Charts, please click HERE.
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
The groaning and moaning that “radio is losing younger demos and will die tomorrow” misses the point. What attracts younger audiences? What has always attracted younger audiences? NEW STUFF. New clothes, shows, slang, ideas… NEW. When you “found” radio, you found a top 40 station that was saturated in the latest music, events and ATTITUDE. Radio remains vital by presenting and celebrating new, shocking, contest prizes, revolutionary ideas, hosts, jocks… NEW.
Radio is good at “new.” “New” is hard for other media. A key advantage of radio over other media is the ability for a programmer or host to think of a new idea on the way to work and air that idea that day. TV, print, outdoor can’t do that.
When radio fails to present “new” it sinks lower into the media landscape. Radio is ubiquitous and only rises in the community’s consciousness when it presents “new.” When radio broadcasts predictable, consistent content hour after hour it suffers a grim listener review, “Oh I don’t listen to the radio.” Or, worse, “I don’t listen to the radio much.”
Word of mouth is not generated by playing “10 in a row” or yelling at the Democrats. Expected content cannot cause a listener to say to a friend, “Did you hear…?” Only surprises, outrageous POV and the unexpected claim precious top of mind awareness.
Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.
Cumulus Media appoints Zoltan Csanyi-Salcedo news director for News Radio KKOB 770 AM/96.3 FM in Albuquerque. In this role, Csanyi-Salcedo will oversee the station’s news content strategy, newsroom operations, and talent development. Csanyi-Salcedo most recently served
as news director at KRGV-TV, Weslaco “ABC 5” in Texas’ Rio Grande Valley, where he led a bilingual newsroom. Cumulus Albuquerque OM and program director Aaron “Buck” Burnett says, “Zoltan is exactly the kind of newsroom leader Albuquerque needs right now — grounded, relentless, and passionate about storytelling that matters. He’s built winning, trusted newsrooms in every market he’s touched, and we’re thrilled to have him guiding KKOB’s next chapter.” Zoltan Csanyi-Salcedo comments, “KKOB has always been a trusted voice for New Mexico, and my mission is to strengthen that trust every day. This newsroom will focus on local truth first — fast, fair, and useful information that helps our audience make sense of what’s happening in their communities.”
Cumulus Media’s Westwood One and Audacy announced the rebranding of the Infinity Sports Network as Westwood One Sports, effective December 29. The companies say “this strategic move solidifies both companies as recognized leaders in national sports audio. Westwood One
Sports’ 24/7 network will continue to deliver unmatched live coverage, expert commentary, and real-time sports programming to millions of listeners nationwide. This extends a partnership between Westwood One and Audacy that first began with the launch of CBS Sports Radio in 2012.” Westwood One will assume programming 
and distribution for the majority of the lineup of syndicated sports programming, including “The Jim Rome Show,” anchoring the 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm ET daypart. Audacy will continue to produce BetMGM Network programs and additional weekend programming as part of the Westwood One Sports roster. The full programming lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. Audacy chief business officer Chris Oliviero comments, “Audacy and Westwood One have a long, storied history of collaboration,
and today’s evolution of our national sports partnership is that next chapter in our commitment to our hundreds of affiliates, their listeners, and our client partners. Be it local or national, broadcast or digital, opinion content or play by play, we continue to smartly look at ways to enhance our leadership position in sports content.” Westwood One & EVP corporate strategy & development, Cumulus Media Collin Jones adds, “Westwood One Sports has always been synonymous with the biggest moments in sports audio. Launching Westwood One Sports 24/7 programming strengthens that legacy and positions us to deliver unmatched coverage and commentary to fans coast-to-coast. We’re excited to work with Audacy to make this transition seamless and impactful.”
The NAB celebrated the 2025 NAB Marconi Radio Awards during a ceremony at the Edison
Ballroom on the eve of NAB Show New York. Some of the winners in spoken-word radio formats include: Premiere Networks’ Colin Cowherd for Network/Syndicated Personality of the Year; WJR, Detroit’s Mitch Albom for Large Market Personality of the Year; WHIO-AM/FM, Dayton’s Larry Hansgen for Medium Market Personality of the Year; WWNC, Asheville’s Mark Starling for Small Market Personality of the Year; WBAL-AM, Baltimore for News/Talk Station of the Year; and WXYT-FM, Detroit for Sports Station of the Year.
77WABC’s “Back The Blue” daylong tribute held on Tuesday (10/21) dedicated its programming to honoring the brave men and women in law enforcement. During the opening press conference, WABC owners John and Margo Catsimatidis announced they will be donating $1 million in digital advertising across all Red Apple Group digital assets for a law enforcement recruitment campaign. Pictured above participating in the roundtable discussion are (from l-r): 77WABC air personality Dominic Carter, host of Red Apple Podcast Networks’ “Cop Talk” and retired NYPD detective Kevin Schroeder, Catsimatidis, 77WABC host Sid Rosenberg, and Red Apple Group chief of staff and former head of NY FBI George Venizelos.
Cumulus Media is suing Nielsen in federal court in New York alleging that the company is illegally leveraging its dominance over national and local radio audience data to stifle rivals and
charge inflated prices, according to a report by Reuters. At the heart of the complaint is the charge that Nielsen is providing access to the national broadcast radio ratings only if the client spends a lot of extra money on 
the separate local ratings. Cumulus argues that Nielsen’s policy forces them to buy ratings in U.S. markets where it doesn’t operate stations in order to have the complete national ratings data. Nielsen has stated that Cumulus’ suit is “entirely without merit” and “we will respond accordingly.” The complaint also says Nielsen is “degrading product quality, raising prices without justification and blocking competitors from gaining footholds in the industry.” See the Reuters story here.
Edison Research releases its Top 50 Podcasts in the U.S. ranker based on reach for Q3 2025 among weekly podcast consumers ages 13+ based on total audience reach from Edison
Podcast Metrics. “The Joe Rogan Experience” again claims the #1 spot, followed by audiochuck’s “Crime Junkie” at #2, and The New York Times’ “The Daily” at #3. Other shows with news/talk radio and cable ties include: “The Charlie Kirk Show” rising 32 places to #17 following his slaying (new episodes are still being produced); “The Tucker Carlson Show” ranked #18; SiriusXM’s “The Megyn Kelly Show” followed at #19; and Ramsey Network’s “The Ramsey Show” ranked #29.
By Holland Cooke
Consultant
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer retired with enough do-re-mi to indulge two passions. He bought the NBA Los Angeles Clippers (for a record $2 billion). And he built USAFacts: “a not-for-profit resource rooted in publicly available data, free from spin or politics.” From its mission statement:
— “Find the numbers: We tap into hundreds of databases at the federal, state, and local level. If it’s tracked, we’ll find it. If it’s not, we’ll tell you that, too.”
— “Put them in context: A stat without context is no better than an opinion. We analyze trends over time so you can see the whole story.”
— “Bring them to life: We turn the numbers into insights you can actually use. No jargon, no spin. Just charts, graphics, and data.”
With so much of talk radio and cable news and social media pandering with affirmation, actual actionable information can differentiate your show or podcast from others that merely entertain outrage. Well-worth a bookmark in your show prep routine.
Holland Cooke (HollandCooke.com) is a media consultant working at the intersection of broadcasting and the Internet. Follow HC on Twitter @HollandCooke
By Walter Sabo
a.k.a. Walter Sterling, Host
WPHT, Philadelphia, “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night”
TMN syndicated, “Sterling on Sunday”
The world of blogs and vlogs has been loaded with largely erroneous news of MTV closing. New owner, Paramount Global, is searching for divisions showing no growth. If MTV is now a liability, it may be a target for a shutdown.
Yes, MTV is closing five of its music channels in the UK and Ireland: MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live. The channels will cease broadcasting at the end of 2025, with the final day of transmission being December 31. This decision is due to shifting viewing habits towards streaming platforms and cost-cutting measures by the parent company, Paramount Global. MTV HD will remain on air but will shift focus from music videos to reality programming.
However, MTV U.S. is not closing. MTV in the United Kingdom IS. It is closing by December 31, 2025. They also run MTV HD in the UK, that channel remains open. Two missing letters, U and K, caused an explosion of misinformation.
Punctuation causes similar mistakes.
As a talk media person, you are well aware of Erich von Daniken. His stunning book, Chariots
of the Gods has powered thousands of hours of programming fun. Recently, I saw the latest edition of his book.
Like many of you, I love “Ancient Aliens” on the History Channel narrated by the formidable Robert Clotworthy. Robert is a great guest on my show, “Sterling Every Damn Night” and he puts up with whatever nonsense that gets tossed at him. Thank you, Robert.
Since von Daniken’s book is so vital to the “Ancient Alien” landscape, I’m curious when was the title of the book changed from the first edition? Next time he’s on the show I’ve got to ask Mr. Clotworthy when did a transporter beam carry away the question mark!?
Walter Sabo has been a C-Suite action partner for companies such as SiriusXM, Hearst, Press Broadcasting, Gannett, RKO General and many other leading media outlets. His company HITVIEWS, in 2007, was the first to identify and monetize video influencers.. His nightly show “Walter Sterling Every Damn Night” is heard on WPHT, Philadelphia. His syndicated show, “Sterling On Sunday,” from Talk Media Network, airs 10:00 pm-1:00 am ET, and is now in its 10th year of success. He can be reached by email at sabowalter@gmail.com.
Remote News Service Adds Six Affiliates. Remote News Service adds new affiliates including Connoisseur Media’s Palm Springs stations, Midwest Communications’ WHBL-AM/FM, Sheboygan; Civic Media’s WAUK-AM, Milwaukee; Telemedia’s Fredericksburg, Virginia stations; Treese Media Group’s WEEU-AM, Reading, Pennsylvania; and Bold Gold Media’s Monticello, New York stations.
BFoA Begins Year-End Giving Campaign. The Broadcasters Foundation of America launches its annual Year-End Giving Campaign that seeks to raise donations from tax-deductible personal and company contributions. The Broadcasters Foundation is a 501c3 charity and the only charity devoted exclusively to helping broadcast colleagues who are in need of financial assistance due to life-altering illness or a disaster. BFoA president Tim McCarthy says, “Our grants offer a ‘hand-up’ to colleagues during trying times. Monthly and emergency grants are often the only financial resource for our colleagues in need, and the funding for those grants are dependent on donations from individuals and companies from within broadcasting. Our 100% Give with Confidence score from Charity Navigator ensures contributions go directly to those in our business who need it most.” Find out more about giving here.
WNYC Appoints Barba Accountability Editor. The New York City public media firm names Robert Barba an editor on the accountability team, overseeing state issues and politics. Previously, Barba spent seven years at The Wall Street Journal in various editor roles. Prior to that he covered banking and fintech for Bankrate and American Banker.
ESPN Names Cornetts “First Take” Host. ESPN announces that Shae Cornette is the new host of “First Take,” effective November 3. Cornette has been an anchor on SportsCenter and a mainstay across ESPN studio programming since joining ESPN in 2020. “First Take” executive producer and commentator Stephen A. Smith says, “Hosting ‘First Take’ is no easy assignment. It requires confidence, toughness, and real sports insight – and Shae brings all of that and more. I’ve seen her command the desk with poise and passion every time she’s hosted. She’s the real deal, and I’m thrilled to have her officially join the team.”